Continental Divide (8 page)

“Tanya,” he began making it clear that she
was the one he wanted to understand what he was about to say. “My
father is wrong about many things and he’s most assuredly wrong
about my not being a man who wishes to one day marry and have
beautiful babies.” When she grinned he grinned also. “I love
women,” he said in an almost whisper.

“I know,” Tanya teased him back. “Just not
greedy Americans.”

“I might make an exception if it were a
truly beautiful American woman,” he held her gaze.

“I do understand about parents not
supporting your dreams, not because they don’t love you, but
because they think you’re choosing a path that will be hard.”

Tanya tried unsuccessfully to prevent the
sigh that escaped. "My parents don’t like the idea that I’ve made a
promise to someone. They think if I have to keep that promise I
won’t have a family of my own. They don’t think I should put so
much time and money into trying to help build the community. But
they’re my dreams and I have a right to go after them, like you
have every right to go after yours. I admire you for trying no
matter what your family thinks. Dreams are what makes us who we
are, they’re important. Your dreams are important, Imran. I hope
they come true. Have you at least received a sign that things might
go well for you?”

“I think I just did.” Imran gave her a full
grin.

“I meant your book.”

“Oh.” Imran's grin widened even more. “In
that case it’s not book, but books. I have two out with publishers
and I’m working on the third. I’m thinking maybe I should add a bit
of romance to this one. What do you think, Tanya?”

“Okay.” Tanya finally tore her eyes from
Imran. “It’s getting hot in here,” she said fanning herself. Then
she turned to Heaven. “Come-on, now, pick up the baby and let's go
do something.”

Heaven made one step toward the crib when
Hamid stopped her. “Tanya, I know Heaven and I are being rude. But
could you please allow Imran to escort you to lunch today? My
treat,” he glanced at Imran. “That is if you don’t have things to
do. I’m swamped with paperwork and if Heaven could just help me for
a few hours, we’ll be free for the rest of the week. I
promise.”

Tanya looked to where the baby was napping
in the crib in Hamid’s office and she laughed. “This is bogus.
Heaven, you did not come to the clinic to work, not with the baby.
Now come on and bring your behind home. Nice try. Thanks, Imran.”
She went to the crib to pick up the baby and Imran stopped her.
“Not again,” she said.

“Tanya, I really don’t mind taking you to
lunch. Besides, the baby is asleep and should not be disturbed.
Heaven and Hamid will be home in a couple of hours. If you’d like I
could take you on a drive of Karachi. I have no qualms about
escorting you when Heaven and Hamid have to work. And, Hamid, I may
be the poor relations but I can afford to take Tanya out for
lunch.” He laughed, “Tanya, we do have McDonald’s here in
Pakistan.” He grinned. “But that’s not where I plan to take
you.

Tanya turned quickly, half expecting Heaven
and Hamid to be jumping with joy. They weren’t jumping but they
were sure grinning from ear to ear.

“Thanks, Imran.” She frowned at her friends.
“But the two of you are not fooling anyone. I just happen to be
enjoying Imran’s company right now more than the two of you. You’re
bad hosts,” she said and flounced out of the door. When Heaven
grabbed her from behind pulling her into a hug she stopped
walking.

“You don’t mind do you, Tann?”

“No, I don’t mind. If I did I wouldn’t be
going off with him. Nice try, Heaven, but I still intend to go
after one of Hamid’s brothers. Since Imran is indeed fine I won’t
mind spending some time with him for the next couple of days.”

***

Heaven watched at the door of the clinic as
Tanya got back into the car and Imran closed the door. She turned
toward Hamid and threw her arms around him. “Thank you,” she
whispered against his lips. “That was a fantastic idea.”

“You’re right about the two of them being
right for each other. They have that certain look. I couldn’t
resist,” he replied kissing his wife passionately. “But I do expect
to be rewarded for having thought of it.”

***

For two days Tanya had enjoyed hanging out
with Imran listening to him play tour guide. But after the first
day she’d insisted that Heaven and Hamid accompany them as they’d
promised. There was just too much heat between her and Imran for
her to want to be alone with him. She wanted to keep the lusting to
a minimal. Her plans hadn’t changed. She was there for one of
Hamid’s brothers. Now the moment she’d waited for and had journeyed
thousands of miles for was at hand.

The biting of her nails was the only sign
that Tanya was a bit nervous. Fatima had only warmed slightly
toward her. In just under an hour this new family Heaven had
adopted would descend on them and Tanya was determined to make a
better impression on them than she had on Fatima and Imran.

When she heard his voice she groaned. She
should have known thinking about Imran would bring him around the
same as it had for the past two days. They’d sparred as they had
from the moment they’d met. Not that Tanya minded, but she’d talked
with Heaven and was determined to try and find her softer side to
woo the Ahmed brothers. But with Imran around it would be darn near
impossible. He brought out the need to fight and flee, to want love
and fulfillment. But he wasn’t the one. She needed someone to help
her make her dreams come true. Imran wasn’t it. She turned in his
direction and frowned

“The party doesn’t start for an hour. It’s
considered bad manners to come so early.”

“It’s also considered bad manners to give
orders in a home that’s not your own. I’m family. I’m welcomed
here, but are you? I have heard of a saying, fish and visitors both
begin to stink after three days,” he retorted. “You’re been here
three days.” He smiled at her and made his way into the
nursery.

Laughter from behind her made Tanya turn.
“I’m getting sick of Hamid’s cousin.” She leaned back and did a
fake neck roll then she laughed also.

“You like him, don’t you?” Heaven asked.

“Yeah I like him, but stop trying to fix us
up. I didn’t come here for ‘
n
o’ cousin. I came for one of
Hamid’s brother.”

“You need to stop saying that, Tanya. At
first it was cute… now…not so much. Listen if Fatima can’t stand
you, you have got a serious problem. I’m not kidding. This isn’t
cute. What’s the deal?”

“There is no deal.” Tanya turned away she
hadn’t wanted to tell Heaven. She hadn’t wanted to tell anyone.
“Damn,” she muttered.

Heaven touched her friend’s shoulder trying
not to scold her, wanting to figure out why Tanya was still
behaving so strangely. “What’s going on with you, Tann?”

“I may have to adopt six kids and I need to
be able to provide for them. You know social workers don’t make
that kind of money.”

“Hold on. You told me about the village
you’re trying to help, but nothing about adopting kids. Why in the
world do you need to adopt six kids?”

“My cousin Lettie has cancer and it doesn't
look good. The entire family wants to pitch in and help with the
kids but no one wants to take care of all six. As a social worker I
know what can happen to these kids if they’re split up. I can’t let
that happen but I also don’t have that kind of money to take care
of them. You told me how big Hamid’s family is on taking care of
family. They have money enough to easily take care of six
kids.”

“Are you crazy?” A tear fell from Heaven’s
eyes. “While your reasons might and I mean a small ‘might’ be good,
your logic is faulty. Even if one of Hamid brothers fell for you,
how do you know they would want to raise six children? And since I
know you have no plans to move here, you’re expecting a lot.”

For the first time since she’d devised the
plan and decided to come to Pakistan Tanya felt helpless. Heaven
was right. Her plan was crazy. She felt the shudder of pain as she
thought about the kids. “I know. I just want to help.” She started
crying comforted by Heaven’s hug. I know it’s crazy. I do know
that, but I wanted to give it a shot.”

“I’ll help you with the kids. I’m still
making money from the agency. I’ll ask Hamid—

“Don’t do that. I want to do this on my own.
Just don’t mention this to Hamid okay. The two of you have done way
more than I should have ever asked you for. This was a long shot
and I knew it.” She shrugged. “I want to find my own way through
this, Heaven. Now come-on, is there anything that I need to do? Am
I dressed okay?” She tugged on Heaven’s arm. “Stop looking so sad.
It’s my problem and I’ll figure something out.”

***

Imran moved slowly back into the shadows.
He’d not meant to eavesdrop on Tanya and Heaven but when he’d heard
the distress in Tanya’s voice he’d thought he was the one who’d put
it there, so he’d listened. The ever constant flutter that had
begun in his chest since meeting her now beat rapidly. This crazy
American woman touched something in his core. True, she was crude,
rude and a gold digger, but she was also a fiercely compassionate
and loyal woman. It didn’t hurt that she was also beautiful, smart
and had made him laugh more in the three days he’d known her than
he had in the past month. Her tale of woe made him wish he could
help her, but she was right. He was a cousin, a cousin with no
money.

Though he understood Tanya’s need to be on
her own the desire to help her overwhelmed him. He sighed knowing
he could never attempt to take away her independence. He was on his
own. Sure if he were in dire straits he knew his father would bail
him out, but he was a grown man. He didn’t want bailing out. No one
believed in his writing abilities and definitely not as a means to
earn money. So he taught in the university waiting for his big
break.

Though an Ahmed his father had chosen a
different path from his uncle and had wanted no involvement in the
oil business. He’d much preferred working the land with his hands
and there had not been much money in it. Eventually his father had
accepted help from his younger brother and made his own fortune.
But Imran had grown up in the shadow of his cousins, the
millionaire sons, as many in their lands referred to the
brothers.

Imran half suspected that was the reason
there were now three millionaire sons left to marry. Many women had
tried to wed them but they had resisted. For the brothers not to be
married with a passel of children was not the norm. Neither was it
the norm for Imran at his age to not have a wife. His career choice
had not made him suitable husband material. He was aware his family
considered him somewhat of a disappointment. He was an Ahmed. He
should be wealthy, or at least working toward wealth.

He blew out a breath having made a decision.
He couldn’t stand the thought of Tanya’s crying so he walked out
wanting suddenly to stop her tears and knowing how best to
accomplish that. “Tanya, are you crying because you missed me?” he
asked walking up to her and standing directly in her face ignoring
Heaven’s arms around her.

When Tanya’s hands dropped from around
Heaven, the tears ceased and she glared at him. “Imran, why on
earth would I miss you?”

“Because when I’m in your presence you
glow.” It wasn’t until he’d said it—and he’d meant it as a joke—to
stop her tears that he realized it was true. He watched as Tanya
blinked rapidly, sputtering trying to think of something to say.
The flutter in his chest was now driving him mad. He moved a little
away. Could it be that they were truly meant for each other? He’d
long acknowledged the attraction, it would have been foolish not
to. But for the past two days he’d determined not to push it, to
wait and let Tanya work her magic on one of his cousins if she
could. But standing in front of her he was drowning in her eyes,
all thoughts of allowing her to continue her crazy plan all but
forgotten. He dropped his gaze to her lips, lips that he’d wanted
to kiss for days. Her pulse beat rapidly at the base of her throat.
It was hard to tear his gaze away even when Heaven cleared her
throat. He needed to think of something to say quickly.

“I just wanted to make you stop crying,” he
answered softly. “You’re here on vacation. You shouldn’t have
tears.” He reached out a hand to automatically wipe away her tears,
but stopped. What the heck was he thinking? What he was about to do
was so improper that he didn’t think even Tanya with her crass
behavior would approve of such an act. He shrugged. “Okay, maybe
you don’t glow but I mistake your glaring at me for glowing.” He
smiled and saw her smile in return, obviously grateful that he’d
taken them away from any mention of anything else.

In a short span of time the family began
piling in. Imran watched Tanya. As she looked at each of his
cousins, she was practically drooling. He’d have to admit his
cousins had been spared nothing in the looks department but then
again neither had he and she’d not drooled over him. He was
beginning to feel a little less sympathetic toward Tanya and
protective toward his cousins. Sure Tanya had a good reason for
wanting a rich husband but his mission was the same as it had been
in the beginning— to foil her plans.

“Ali, what do you do for a living or do you
just enjoy being rich?” Tanya waited for Ali to answer but saw him
frown instead.

“I am a diamond dealer.” Ali tilted his head
downward and smiled at Tanya. “Would you like for me to come again
and show you some of my things?”

“Please do,” Tanya answered coyly, batting
her lashes and talking softly. She turned away for a moment and saw
Imran glaring at her.
What’s his problem
? she wondered.
“Excuse me Ali,” she said as she made her way to where Imran was
standing. “Imran, why are you glaring at me?”